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Are you tired of the phrase 'OK Boomer' yet? Originating from the exasperation and futility of arguing with people who approach the world's problems from a position of security and privilege, the meme has quickly morphed into a lame conversation killer, mindlessly and derisively parroted by people who disagree with anyone who happens to be older than them.

I blame the online culture of 'savage putdowns,' 'mic-drops' and 'word murders' for this – we have come to believe that the way to 'win' a debate is to flounce out with a particularly biting or amusing insult, at the expense of logic and reason. 'OK Boomer' is not clever, and it's not even funny anymore. It's smug, boring and counterproductive.

This post highlights the generational divide that we face today, as younger people share the out-of-touch advice that they have received from their elders. Because let's face it, the structural inequality, economic insecurity and environmental destruction that Millenials and Gen X'ers have inherited are a direct result of the selfish, greedy neoliberal policies championed by Boomers over the last 30 years.

Understandably, the younger generations are a bit upset at their comparative lack of opportunities and are even more frustrated by the absence of understanding and empathy shown in useless pieces of 'advice' like this. But it works both ways. Whilst Boomers could better educate themselves as to the realities of the modern world, and acknowledge that the kind of lifestyles they enjoyed are excessive, damaging and no longer attractive or attainable; casually dismissing the opinions and life experience of older people with thoughtless phrases like 'OK Boomer' ultimately achieves nothing but more division and even less understanding.

What do you think? How can we better bridge the gaps between generations to have more useful, constructive debates and discussions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Image credits: Freeyourmindkid
#2

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lots of people are putting their heads in the sand on this topic. It's a mystery to me as to why.

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#3

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. Even the pre-boomer generation wouldn't give you that advice. I'm a boomer but my father always told me to follow the money. If you can get more money working elsewhere then don't hang around and move on.

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#5

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now this here is good advice.. And the secret behind a long life is... Just don't die..

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#6

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wholesome :) i hope boomers like her know the whole ok boomer movement isn't targeted at her

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#7

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Willem Groenewald
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Making that follow up call makes a big difference. I immigrated, and was applying to tons of jobs online. For weeks I received no replies and no interviews. I then started to call just after each submission. That same day I got two interviews lined up.

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#9

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Alia G.
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think that's something healthy to keep in mind, boomers were part of the most intense first wave civil rights movements, they protested against wars, and some learned to overcome their own racism, sexism, and homophobia. "ok boomer" is used to insult boomers who refused to change with the times and continue to act like bigotry is acceptable.

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#11

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Foxxy
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can’t imagine my hubby concreting whilst wearing a suit and tie. Impractical, unsafe and uncomfortable.

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#12

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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WilvanderHeijden
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let's reverse that: "If you pay me more I might be willing to work harder."

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#14

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Tambot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, if you need something ask. I am starving, could I please have food might be a good start.

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#17

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Janine B.
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why not? A lot of companies will appreciate that. Maybe they ask you to leave your job application so they can call you in case they are hiring.

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#19

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People really fail to grasp the relative decrease in income compared to the increase in cost of living that has happened over the last 50 years. A minimum wage job used to be a living wage. Now you need about three such jobs to stand a chance.

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#20

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John Montgomery
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. Because that's exactly what everyone wants. Zero free time. /full sarcasm.

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#21

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always start in the mail room... even if there isn't actually a mail room. Just start there anyway.

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#23

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Vic
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now here is where a fifth of Whiskey might help..

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#25

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Jo Choto
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's an article out there somewhere, that showed you could pay your way through Harvard on minimum wage with something like an average of four hours work a day, and now you would need to work 72 hours a day to achieve the same (not the exact figures, but something equally crazy).

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#26

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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#27

Boomer-Out-Of-Touch-Advice

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Wietse Pot
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should follow their own advice. Or is this one of those "Do as I say, don't do as I do" things?

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#30

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Note: this post originally had 96 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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